Napoli-Atalanta, Conte: "We lost against a stronger team"

Naples, November 3, 2024 - If the first exam of the difficult cycle, the one against the Milan, had been passed with flying colours, the second sees il Napoli to capitulate badly at the hands of theAtalanta, corsair to the Maradona thanks to a brace of Ademola Lookman and to the final seal of Mateo Retegui: a heavy knockout that doesn't knock you down Antonio Conte, who prefers to see more the merits of the opponents of the day, now just distant 3 points in the standings, which are the demerits of their team, which will still remain top of the table at the end of this round.  

Conte's statements

  "I have to be honest: the boys did what they had to do, even if perhaps they could have done better in the goal opportunities. In terms of commitment, however, I have nothing to reproach them for: we had to play a game of pressure, expending a lot of energy, so I have little to reproach my players for, who today faced a stronger team". Tale he then articulates his thoughts, which are anything but aimed at providing the classic phrases of circumstance. "I'm not saying this just to say it or to take pressure off my people, but because I analyze situations for what they are. For years theAtalanta is on a great journey and has a structured squad that must scare many other teams". From the merits of others to their own possible demerits. Actually, no. "When I speak I do not do it to cry or laugh. I say what I think, otherwise I keep quiet: we are here to work and follow a reconstruction path as desired by the president and to do so - concludes the Italian coach - it means that we must first lay solid foundations".

Gasperini's statements

  Solid foundations at home Atalanta have been asked for years, even in spite of transfers that were painful on paper. Instead, the Nerazzurri's growth process seems to still be underway: perhaps even with the Scudetto in sight, but perhaps not for Gian Piero Gasperini, the happy face of the lunch match of the Maradona. "We knew we had to compete against a strong team in a hot environment and we came here with personality, which makes me very happy: we showed a beautiful performance and it wasn't easy. We beat the top of the class, but we still have to grow especially in the new ones: Retegui is the one who is doing best, but I expect more from others". Among them there could be Nicolo Zaniolo, who remained on the sidelines today but not through his fault. "I couldn't use him, but I hope that whoever plays up front can improve and reach that extra step that is still missing. They can't all play together and whoever comes on during the match will have to be good at being ready and giving me the answers I hope for, especially in these busy periods of the calendar". Finally, a jab about a possible contact with Aurelio De Laurentiis, the president who has repeatedly courted him. "I have not had the opportunity to speak to him, but with Tale he put himself in excellent hands, and then the club was good at providing him with a team that emerged strengthened from the market".

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